Respiratory virus hits dogs at Saylorsburg animal hospital

Employees of Creature Comforts animal hospital in Saylorsburg say they are seeing a growing number of cases of parainfluenza among dogs.

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By CHAD SMITH

poconorecord.com

By CHAD SMITH

Posted Jun. 8, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By CHAD SMITH
Posted Jun. 8, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

Employees of Creature Comforts animal hospital in Saylorsburg say they are seeing a growing number of cases of parainfluenza among dogs.

Parainfluenza is a virus that causes respiratory problems for animals that get it. The disease is considered serious and can be fatal. But, Kathy Ruwedel, a veterinarian technician at Creature Comforts, said dog owners shouldn't be too alarmed because the virus is treatable.

Creature Comforts detected the first case of parainfluenza in a dog in mid-May. Since then, it has treated nine dogs. The veterinary clinic believes one dog at the clinic may have had the virus and then spread it to other dogs.

Creature Comforts, like other veterinary hospitals, vaccinates puppies and dogs against parainfluenza. However, Ruwedel said she believes that the dogs got the virus because the vaccine those dogs received was flawed and for some reason didn't protect them properly.

Dogs that have received the vaccine can still get booster shots. Dogs that get the virus often develop very bad coughs and may have nasal discharge. In addition, a dog with the virus may have trouble breathing.

Ruwedel said it is difficult to protect dogs from getting the disease. She said dogs that have bad coughs should be brought in to be treated. Veterinarians usually give dogs antibiotics and cough tablets. Dogs that get treatment usually recover in about three days, Ruwedel said.

Three other vet offices in the Poconos said they hadn't treated any dogs with parainfluenza recently.

A larger epidemic of parainfluenza broke out in the Poconos a few years ago. That outbreak was more widespread.

Judy Sutliff, a manager at Pocono Peak Veterinary Center in East Stroudsburg, said that after that outbreak, many people came into her office to get their dogs booster shots for parainfluenza. The number of those looking to get booster shots for their dogs has dropped in recent years.